Bounce house boredom setting in? A tween eager for new interests and engagement offers parents exciting possibilities for family fun on Long Island. Here are some of our favorite destinations and activities for that hard-to-define age between young childhood and these teenage years.

Added bonus: These activities are guaranteed to get your tween off the couch and away from the electronics.

Why whine about summer winding down when you can embrace it, filling these last few weeks with engaging and entertaining family fun? 

We've rounded up 25 of the best end-of-summer fun activities to do with kids on Long Island before they head back to school — from water playgrounds and outdoor pools to FREE music and movies.

Check out our August GoList for the best family events throughout the month, and peruse our Summer Fun Guide or guide to beaches, pools, and water fun for your last sticky summertime hurrah before school resumes. Of course, our Event Calendar is loaded with fun, daily happenings for Long Island kids.

Water games are an easy way to keep the kids entertained—and cool—this summer. From a simple water balloon toss to fancier DIY fun like sprinkler Twister, these outdoor games are sure to please all ages.

One year, I found myself home with both kids for a whole summer due to a shift in my career path, so we got pretty creative with the water games. There were 10 weeks to fill after all! Read on for our favorites—and you can also download this free printable with all 25 top water games for kids.

Need more free and cheap activities for the kids this summer break? Our family started a Boredom Busters jar: a painted Mason jar full of ideas to keep them busy (and tired out). Anyone complaining of boredom can open it and pick out an activity. Many of the ideas come from the Mommy Poppins' 100 Summer Play Activities List and Free Summer Fun Ideas. But their absolute favorites are the water games for splish-splashy, low-key summer fun.